I won't give up on Lee 200gr SWC in 1911 - but I'm sure struggling

[Mk42gunner]

UPDATE:...
What do you recommend next? New ‘reputable’ extractor? Firing factory ammo to verify reliability which would point to me reloads as the problem?

It could still be a combination problem of gun and ammo.

Yes and yes. A single box of Winchester white box 230 grain ball should help prove that the gun is working correctly. Also since you don't sound too confident about the extractor, a new one may be indicated.

It doesn't have to be a high dollar custom one either, I seldom saw a GI extractor that flat out wouldn't work.

Robert

[bruce381]

a previously posted picture shows a squared up breech face get kunshousens books and polish out the feed ramp and move it a few thousands toward muzzle and open throat a little.

[PhatForrest]

I always seat them about a fingernail width above the case mouth. No issues with a 1911. Sig P220s don’t like to feed them at all, however.

[nicholst55]

There is a few test some 1911 Meister's came up with, like chambering a round and removing magazine to confirm unsupported extraction. If it passes that leave tension alone!

Although he may not be the only one suggesting this method, Hilton Yam from 10-8 Performance developed a very good extractor test. Load one round into the mag, and chamber it then remove the mag. Fire that round. Repeat 16X. This test demonstrates whether your extractor is properly tensioned and fitted, and it eliminates the magazine as a potential influence on the outcome.

https://modernserviceweapons.com/?p=131